Omusati is Swapo stronghold - Endjala

The Swapo Party regional co-ordinator for the Omusati Region, Erginus Endjala, says his region has proven itself time and time again to be the powerbase of Swapo. Thousands of Swapo supporters turned up at an election rally held at Outapi on Saturday where the party’s presidential candidate, Prime Minister Hage Geingob, was the main speaker. Speaking at the occasion, Endjala said Swapo’s continued dominance in the Omusati Region has often led to the region being accused by the opposition of being politically intolerant and a no-go area. “We are the powerhouse of Swapo. To attest to that one merely has to look around. If I asked someone to count this crowd, they will not be able to,” said Endjala as he pointed at the people occupying the 12 tents set up at the Olufuko centre. Observers who spoke to Namibian Sun were of the opinion that the crowd at Saturday’s rally had only been seen before at Swapo’s first election rally in 1989 at Okatana, while others noted that it was the biggest reception that Geingob ever received from his party supporters during his political career. Those present included various members of parliament, business people from around the country and traditional authorities. Endjala said of the total 1.3 million voters registered this year, the Omusati Region accounted for 139 760. This number is the second highest after the Khomas Region where a total number of 216 105 voters were registered by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) this year. In the last national elections, Swapo received 97% of the vote in the Omusati Region. “The Omusati Region can give Swapo 13 to 15 seats if the status quo remains,” said Endjala. Geingob thanked the crowd for their support and acknowledged that the Omusati Region is indeed a stronghold of the Swapo Party. “I was told yesterday that Omusati is rocking. You started yesterday and today we continue. Thank you very much for coming out in numbers,” Geingob said. He admitted that although the Omusati Region and particularly Outapi had seen vast development since independence, a lot still needed to be done. ”We are in the second phase of the struggle, which is the struggle for economic emancipation and that includes making sure that no child is taught under a tree,” said Geingob. The Omusati Region has a total population of 245 000 inhabitants, mainly derived from traditional authorities such as Ombalantu, Uukwaluudhi, Ongandjera, Uukolonkadhi, Uukwambi, Ombadja and Oukwanyama. OUTAPI MERJA IILEKA